TLDR
- Rose Namajunas has been cleared to resume training after suffering an eye injury at UFC 324
- She is calling for instant purse deductions against fighters who commit eye pokes
- Namajunas believes current penalties like warnings and point deductions are insufficient
- Eye pokes remain a persistent problem in MMA due to open-fingered glove design
- The UFC has not yet responded to her proposal for stricter financial penalties
Sources: MMAWeekly.com | MMA Junkie | Sportskeeda | MiddleEasy
Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas has been cleared to resume training after suffering an eye injury at UFC 324. She is now calling for immediate financial penalties against fighters who commit eye pokes during competition.
Namajunas sustained the eye injury during her recent bout at UFC 324. The injury was serious enough to require medical clearance before she could return to training.
Proposal for Instant Purse Deductions
The fighter has proposed that the UFC implement instant purse deductions for any competitor who pokes an opponent in the eye. She believes the current system does not do enough to prevent these dangerous fouls.
Under the current rules, referees can issue warnings or deduct points for eye pokes. However, Namajunas argues these penalties are not severe enough to discourage the behavior.
Eye pokes have been a persistent problem in mixed martial arts for years. The open-fingered gloves used in the UFC make accidental eye contact more likely during exchanges.
UFC star Rose Namajunas has shown fans the grim effects of eye-poking in MMA https://t.co/WGM0dHRQvT 🔗 pic.twitter.com/XylGFzRCC9
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) April 21, 2026
Many fighters extend their fingers toward opponents’ faces while striking or defending takedowns. This creates situations where eyes can be poked even without intentional foul play.
Namajunas believes hitting fighters in their wallets would be more effective than the current penalty system. Financial consequences would give competitors a stronger incentive to keep their fingers closed during fights.
The UFC has experimented with different glove designs over the years. However, the organization has not made major changes to address the eye poke issue.
Return to Training After Injury
Despite her injury concerns, Namajunas has received medical clearance to begin training again. This means the damage to her eye has healed sufficiently for her to resume physical activity.
The timeline for her return to competition has not been announced. Fighters typically need several weeks of training camp preparation before booking their next fight.
Namajunas is a former two-time UFC strawweight champion with a professional record built on technical striking and grappling. She has been competing at the highest level of women’s MMA for nearly a decade.
Her experience with the eye injury has clearly influenced her perspective on fighter safety. She joins a growing number of competitors who have spoken out about the need for rule changes.
Several high-profile fights have been impacted by eye pokes in recent years. Some contests have been stopped entirely due to the severity of eye injuries sustained during competition.
The proposed purse deduction system would represent a major shift in how the UFC handles fouls. Currently, financial penalties are typically only assessed after fights through disciplinary measures by athletic commissions.
Namajunas has not specified what percentage of a fighter’s purse should be deducted for eye pokes. She has only stated that the deduction should happen instantly rather than after the fact.
The UFC has not publicly responded to Namajunas’ proposal for stricter eye poke penalties. The organization would need to work with state athletic commissions to implement any major rule changes.
